Should the military be able to go to schools and try to recruit teenagers still in high school?

Question

Recruiting teenagers.

Answer 1

Only if it is a public school or supported by taxes in some way. I know you are talking about the moral issue of swaying impressionable teens to make a life altering decision without the counsel of their parents. I am talking about the the fact that schools have little say in the matter when they rely on government funds to stay open. They work for the government so if that government decides to use them as a tool for recruitment then they have to cooperate. The state department for education still receives government funding to some extent. Get government out of the schools and you can tell them they can't recruit there but until then they can.

Answer 2

Absolutely! Teens are old enough to make their own decisions. I am in the Army at 17, and I love it. No recruiter forces anyone to enlist. And the military offers the youth so many options and different opportunities. For example, free college education and things like that, for some, its the answer to their troubles. And teenagers are old enough to know if he or she thinks he or she should join. And if he or she is under 18, he or she would need parental consent anyways.

Answer 3

Yes.

AND, we don't go their with the sole purpose of recruiting but rather to inform teenagers of their choice.

Colleges are allowed to go and talk about each of their different schools and programs and the military is not doing anything different.

I know I grew up in an extremely wealthy area of California and never even heard about military recruiters let alone ever seeing one on campus.

I did go into the Navy after I was all done with my college education and I really wish I would have been given the opportunity to at least listen to and talk to a military, specifically a Navy recruiter, back when I was 17 or 18.

The military is not a bad choice for young adults and young adults should be able to hear about all of their choices rather than just one. Not everyone is cut out to go to college right out of high school either due to grades, maturity or finances. There is nothing wrong with enlisting in one of the several branches of our military for four years and then going to college or maybe even doing 20 years in the military. Why should any young adult be kept from knowing about all of their choices? If you choose not to enlist that is your choice, but your choice or your politcal beliefs should not impact another individuals life. Not every child is cut out with a cookie cutter at birth. Millions of American young people have served their county and have been proud to do so.

Choice is not a bad thing. There is no draft in our country and enlisted in the military is still a volunteer thing. Why are so many people afraid the youth of our nation will choose to serve? You should be proud of anyone who makes that kind of choice. I love the Navy and really wish I would have enlisted right out of high school I am not poor, I came from a family with millions of dollars. The Navy was the right choice for me and it will be the right chose for many others even if you try to keep people from ever seeing a recruiter.

Answer 4

I think it's fine because that's how I joined. I never thought about the Army then one day a recruiter came and talked to me. It's been over 7 yrs now. They only recruit 17-18 yr olds. At 18, technically you are an adult and can make the decision because you are no longer a child. At 17, if the kid says no, then I think the recruiter should leave them alone. I thnink it's nice for kids to see other options after high school.

Answer 5

Absolutely!! I wish when I was in high school that the Army had come around to my school more. Had I of known about all the opportunities they offer I would have chosen that as an option instead of going to college first. I wanted to be a linguist, and the Army would have made that possible for me right away instead of waiting to go through school for 4 years, plus my education would have been free.

I've also just learned how if I even would have done reserves I could have had all my college for free plus enough money to live off of. It seems like something a lot of students could take advantage of.

Answer 6

Barring recruiters from high schools won't eliminate the need for a military. If the school accepts ANY govt funding, they have to allow recruiters. Private schools that receive NO govt funds can do as their board of governors wish.

I'd like to see a school district try to operate without govt funding - I wonder what the property taxes would be like?

Would you prefer reinstituting the draft? Instead of young people volunteering, you can have forced conscription.

I'm greatly amused by those who seem to think that if there were no US military, all would be right with the world. If we abolished all police departments, would that eliminate crime?

Answer 7

The 1st amendment does not have the phrase "except" in it. They are free to go. The kids are free to not listen. The concept is equal access.

The military swears to "Protect and Defend the Constitution" not subvert it. I know many don't believe that just as I know those people have never been in the military.

Those that have been to the problem areas, met the victims and done their job with honor whether it was standing fast to stop an action or participating in one, know beyond doubt that they did good.

SSG US Army 73-82

Answer 8

Yes they should be allowed to express the opportunities the military can offer them. Besides they don't recruit teenagers by 18 they are legally adults. If they want in at 17 their parents have to sign the paperwork.

Answer 9

You do know that the military does do this & it reqruit teenagers all the time. And there aint a damn thing that can be done about it, because tax payers money pays for both so the government has the right to do it. I say its a good thing, the military is a vital to the US & it needs young smart kids to grow & mature to the needs of the military.

Answer 10

I believe that the military has the obligation to try to get the best that they can. I recall the Army guys coming over and giving the ASVAB. I decided not to take the test. Instead about six months later I began to research my options. I could have gone to college, instead I choose the Army. It is a Voluntary Army.